Preparation of Team SA kicked off!

Today Team SA 2008 met for the first preparation session – how inspiring and heart warming it was to see the pride and honour of all team members for being chosen this year!

Purpose of the meeting was to clarify the process from here, to agree on time frames for the preparation training and to hook trainees up with Facebook, where they will have a chance to meet other trainees sailing on the Christian Radich.

The preparation training – facilitated by Cape Windjammers - includes a team building process, training in computer and internet skills, log book and web log writing, presentation skills as well as photography and film making. As part of the process the team will also visit each others homes to get a deeper understanding of each others backgrounds. Special focus is also given to reflect on recent violent attacks on foreigners in South Africa, which have a very negative impact on the image of South Africa overseas. During the Tall Ships’ Race Team SA will work together with many youths from many different countries and they will have the chance to paint a different picture of the current situation in South Africa.

Says team member Claire Bouah: “I am proud of all of us for making it this far – and I hope and pray that it will have a positive influence on situations in South Africa – politically, racially, spiritually and economically. I feel we have already won – by crossing borders and breaking barriers!”

Team members also still have to pull their weight in assisting SASLA in raising additional funds to pay for flights and team wear. Right now, the funds raised so far pay for 3 team members only. Thank you to all of you who have supported us with your donations – you will hear from us soon to recognize your kind and generous contributions. However, some major work to raise the missing funds still needs to be done. Can you help?? Contact Antje Nahnsen antje@capewindjammers.org or Patrick Fraser pfraser@iafrica.com

SASLA proudly presents Team SA 2008!

Selected into Team SA 08 to represent their country in the Tall Ships' Race 2008 are 4 lucky and highly committed Capetonians:

Sakhekile Qoyi, 18, Delft
Valentino Scholtz, 17, Lotus River
Shafeeqah Salie, 25, Bokaap
Claire Bouah, 25, Fish Hoek

Indeed this was a tough decision to make by SASLA - all applicants, who made it to the final round of interviews, had their own unique set of skills and talents to contribute to the team and many of them attracted a substantial number of votes from the public. Altogether all candidates collected 241 votes through this web log, sms and email! Well done! However, the public votes were just one factor in the decision of the SASLA committee – eventually it was those candidates chosen, who demonstrated strongest commitment to the project over time, consistency in communication with us in the process, candidates potential to benefit from this unique experience in regard to the personal and professional development, their ability to represent South Africa in the youth exchange as well as their potential to contribute to SASLA to make Tall Ship sailing possible for other youths in the future. Well done Team SA 2008! We are looking forward to work with you on this project! Enjoy your journey!

While there was quite some disappointment on the side of those applicants who did not make it this year, they are not turned away empty-handed. SASLA and its member organisations are offering other sail-training projects to them, amongst them the local sail-training voyages offered by Cape Windjammers, a 6 months training opportunity on Dutch Barque Europa - the Tall Ship the Team SA sailed on during the Tall Ships’ Races in 2007.

Final Interview for Team SA

Yesterday was a stressful day for most of the applicants. The final interviews took place at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The SASLA members came together to interview team SA applicants. Next week the final decision about team SA will be made.

Watch the 'The Journey' of Team SA 2007 now online!

You can check out the 'The Journey' , the video shot by Team SA during the Tall Ships' Race 2007 on Cape Windjammers Facebook group. Join the group now and stay in touch with people who have a passion for sailing. you can also stay updated about our latest news or have your say on our wall.

Hope we see you soon on Facebook!

Final Interview for Team SA

The big day has arrived. On 21 May 08 a final interview will be conducted with all Team SA 08 applicants, where they have the opportunity to convince the SASLA panel why they think that they are the most valuable members to the team.

SASLA members will then make a decision about the final team composition. SASLA’s decision is based on the original application and motivation statement, the interview as well as on our assessment of applicants’ performance in the process so far. Displayed commitment and communication is one crucial selection criteria. Your vote is of course another criteria. So keep on voting!

Right now we have raised funds to provide 2 full bursaries, and to support another trainee with 1/3 of a full bursary. We need another 20 000 Rand to provide another full bursary. Can you help? Then please go to the link below and make an online donation using your credit card or make a donation into our bank account. Any contribution however small it seems will be highly appreciated! Kindly email to Antje (antje@capewindjammers.org) after you have made a donation, so we can acknowledge your contribution!

Team SA gathers on Argentinean Tall Ship ARA Libertad

On 1 May 08 all 14 Team SA candidates were invited by Cape Windjammers to visit Argentinean Tall Ship ARA Libertad, one of the fastest vessels in the world. Liaison Officer Captain Gustavo Diaz Duran made it possible that despite huge public interest and a long queue of people waiting to explore the majestic feel of a 102 m long traditional sail training vessel, our team could get a feeling for sail training on Tall Ships. They were guided by cadets of the Argentinean Navy and joined by about 70 family members, friends, supporters, interested donors and general friends of Cape Windjammers, the Cape Horners, the Jewish Maritime League and SASLA.

Cast YOUR vote for YOUR favourite candidate

We are slowly but surely approaching the deadline to confirm the number and identity of trainees to become members of TEAM SA to join the Tall Ships` Race 08.

Now it is your time to have a say! Vote your favourite candidate now!

You can cast your vote by sending us an email, by posting a comment on this web log, by calling Antje on 0214481618 or by sending an SMS with the name of your favourite candidate to 0832949495.Or simply click on your favourite candidate on the right sight below!

If you want to put some extra weight to your vote, you can do so, by making a donation to the project. Make your donation online through GGSA (following the link on this site), or make a deposit on Cape Windjammers Bank Account (see details below). Please mention the name of your favourite candidate as a reference.

If you are still not sure who to vote for, you have two options:

1. Read below what they have to say: we are excited and impressed by the many different stories our candidates have to tell! Contact them to find out more!
2. Join us next Thursday, 1 May at the V&A Waterfront, where the candidates will meet to visit Argentinean Tall Ship LIBERTAD. This will be your chance to meet team members in person, and at the same time to visit one of the fastest Tall Ships in the world. If you like to join this event, please RSVP to Antje on 021 4481618 or email her: antje@capewindjammers.org

The final decission for the composition of TEAM SA will be taken by SASLA, but we will take your vote into consideration when we do so! So let us know what you think!